Implement for detecting physical abnormalities in milk

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for detecting physical abnormalities in milk which comprises a light source for irradiating milk with light of red or green or blue colors or any combination of such colors. The intensity of light reflected or diffused or transmitted, or any combination thereof, by the milk, or from background light of the milk, is measured by light sensors. A computer processes the measurement data and is programmed to select, based on comparisons of the values derived from the measured light intensities with reference values, a diagnostic basis or diagnostic bases for abnormalities in the milk from a plurality of diagnostic bases of possible abnormalities stored in the memory of the computer.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/NL01/00011,filed Jan. 9, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting physicalabnormalities in milk by subjecting the milk to irradiation by one ormore lights of colors, red, green and blue, measuring the intensity oflight reflected or background light from the irradiated light, andprocessing the measured data with a computer. The invention furtherrelates to a milking robot which is provided with the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such an apparatus is known from Netherlands patent applicationNL-1004980 (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,030). The presence of particularsubstances in the milk can be detected by means of a known color sensormeasuring system. A disadvantage thereof is that a user often has tomake a further analysis of the milk condition on the basis of thedetected substances. Moreover, the results are not very reliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims at further developing and improving such anapparatus. According to the invention, this is achieved by programmingthe computer to recognize and identify one or more diagnostic indicatorsbased on a comparison of values derived from the measured lightintensities reflected directly and derived from the milk beingirradiated by the light source or sources.

The values derived from the measured light intensities may be measuredmay be said measured values themselves, but preferably values correctedby means of the computer are determined and used. For that purpose thecomputer is programmed to determine corrected values as said valuesderived from the measured light intensities, the correction compensatingfor the influence of the temperature of the light source or of the milkor both on the measured intensities. The fact is that particularly thetemperature of the light source, such as a LED, has proved to influencethe measured values of the intensities. The measured values may beconverted by the computer to measured values related to a temperatureof, for example, 25° C.

The computer may further be programed to determine corrected values assaid values derived from the measured light intensities, the correctioncompensating for differences between the light sensors used. The fact isthat different specimens of a light sensor may have mutually differingmeasuring characteristics. By means of the correction , undesiredtemperatures influences or differences between the sensors used or bothsuch factors are thus compensated for. In this manner the reliability ofthe apparatus is enhanced.

Reference values may be used which are fixed values (such as those ofreference milk). However, preferably dynamic values are used, such asaverage values over the last milkings of a group of animals. Preferablythe computer uses information in relation to the identity of the animalsthat provided the analyzed milk. The diagnostic possibilities storedcomprise syndromes for the animal from which the relevant milk has beenprovided, milk quality indications and the presence of particularsubstances in the milk.

Other objects, adaptabilities and capabilities will appear as thedescription progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be explained hereinafter in further detail withreference to examples:

The apparatus is further provided with a display unit, the computerbeing suitable for displaying, via said display unit, measurement dataor results or processed measurement data or a selected diagnosis ordiagnoses or any combination of the foregoing. In this manner theapparatus is user-friendly.

The apparatus may further be provided with means for measuring theconductivity of the milk, as such, or of samples of same, the computerbeing suitable for comparing values derived from the measured values ofthe conductivity with further reference values. The derived values mayagain be the result of a correction or conversion carried out with theaid of the computer. Further reference values are again fixed or dynamicvalues. By combining measurement data of the light intensity withmeasurement data of the conductivity, there can be achieved a highdegree of reliability in the selection of a diagnosis or diagnoses.

The apparatus is preferably designed as a quadruple apparatus forcarrying out measurements per udder quarter with cows.

The computer is programmed to select the diagnosis “mastitis; pathogen:E-coli” for an udder quarter upon detection by the light sensors of adecreased intensity of diffused light of a blue, a green, and a redcolor for the relevant udder quarter relative to the reference values.When the measured intensity of the diffused light or the value derivedtherefrom by the computer for blue, green, and red light (or anycombination of such colors) is at least 10% lower than the referencevalue, then the computer selects the diagnosis that the udder quarterrelated to the relevant milk is affected by mastitis caused by E-colibacteria.

It has been found that in measurements on colostrum the intensity ofdiffused blue light is lower than it normally is. The computer isprogrammed to select the diagnosis “colostrum” upon detection of thelight sensors of a decreased intensity of diffused light of a blue colorfor all the udder quarters relative to the reference values.

When for an udder quarter the intensity of diffused blue light is lowerthan it normally is, then we are dealing with mastitis. The computer isprogrammed to select the diagnosis “mastitis” for an udder quarter upondetection by the light sensors of a decreased intensity of diffusedlight of a blue color for the relevant udder quarter relative to thereference values.

At a decreased intensity of diffused blue light combined with a somewhatless decreased intensity of diffused green light it is very likely thatwe are dealing with mastitis. Therefore the computer is programmed toselect the diagnosis “mastitis” for an udder quarter upon detection bythe light sensors of a decreased intensity of diffused light of a bluecolor for the relevant udder quarter relative to the reference valuesand a less decreased intensity of diffused light of a green color forthe relevant udder quarter relative to the reference values.

The computer is further programmed to select the diagnosis “mastitis”for an udder quarter upon detecting by the light sensors of a decreasedintensity of diffused light of a blue color for the relevant udderquarter relative to the reference values in combination with detectionof an increased conductivity for the relevant udder relative to thefurther reference values. Also this combination of measured valuesindicates mastitis.

The computer is programmed to select additionally the diagnosis“pathogen: SAU (staphylococcus aureus)” for an udder quarter upondetection by the light sensors of an also slightly decreased intensityof diffused light of a red color for the relevant udder quarter relativeto the reference values. The computer is programmed to selectadditionally the diagnosis “pathogen: E-coli” for an udder quarter upondetection by the light sensors of an also strongly decreased intensityof diffused light of a red color for the relevant udder quarter relativeto the reference values. In this manner the apparatus provides a moredetailed diagnosis for the abnormalities in the milk.

The computer may further be programmed to select the diagnosis “blood”for an udder quarter upon detection by the light sensors of a decreasedintensity of diffused light of both a green and a blue color for therelevant udder quarter relative to the reference values.

The computer is programmed to select the diagnosis “blood” for an udderquarter upon detection by the light sensors of a decreased intensity ofdiffused light of both a green and a blue color for the relevant udderquarter relative to the reference values in combination with detectionof a hardly deviating conductivity for the relevant udder quarterrelative to the further reference values. The combination of saidmeasured values has proved to provide a reliable diagnosis.

The computer may also be programmed to select the diagnosis “mastitis”;pathogen: E-coli” for an udder quarter upon detection by the lightsensors of an increased intensity of transmitted light of a green aswell as a blue and a red color for the relevant udder quarter relativeto the reference values. The increased transmission values also indicatean udder inflammation by E-coli bacteria.

The computer is preferably programmed to select and perform one or moreactions to be carried out on the basis of the selected diagnosis ordiagnoses from a plurality of action possibilities stored in thecomputer memory. The action possibilities as stored comprise, forexample, reporting in an appropriate manner the identify of the relevantanimal. Upon detection of a particular syndrome, for example, thecomputer may put the identity of the relevant animal on an attentionlist or on a separation list in the computer, so that required furthersteps can be taken.

The computer my also be connectable to further equipment and then beprogrammed to select one or more actions to be carried out on the basisof the selected diagnosis or diagnoses from a plurality of possibleactions stored in the computer. In such case, the computer is suitablefor actuating said further equipment in such a manner that the furtherequipment performs the selected actions. The computer may be connected,for example, to an automatic feeding device. In case of a particulardiagnosis, the computer sends a control signal to the feeding device, onthe basis of which the composition of the feed for the relevant animalis adapted to the animal's condition. By means of a control signal thecomputer can also select food or supply to the animal particularmedicines or perform both actions, with the aid of a metering device.

The apparatus described is extremely suitable for being used with amilking robot in an automated milking system. Abnormalities in the milkcan be detected quickly, efficiently and reliably by means of theapparatus. The actions required can, at least partially, be carried outautomatically by means of the described apparatus.

Although we have disclosed the preferred embodiments of our invention itis to be understood that it is capable of other adaptations andmodifications within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus disclosed our invention, what we claim as new and to besecured by Letters Patent of the United States of America is:
 1. Anapparatus for diagnosing pathological conditions in animals that producemilk by analyzing abnormalities in such milk, the apparatus comprising:a light source that irradiates milk produced by said animal with lightconsisting of light selected from a red color or a green color or a bluecolor or any combination thereof; a light sensor disposed to measure theintensity of light consisting of light selected from light that isreflected from said milk or is diffused through milk or is transmittedby said milk or is background light produced by said milk or is anycombination thereof; a computer for processing measurement data fromsaid light sensor, said computer programmed to select at least onediagnosis for pathological conditions which may exist in said animalthat produces said milk from a plurality of diagnostic possibilitiesstored in said computer on the basis of comparing values derived fromthe light intensities measured by said light sensor with referencevalues of said plurality of diagnostic possibilities.
 2. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said computer is further programmed todetermine corrected values of said measurement values, said correctedvalues having been corrected to compensate for the influence of thetemperature of said light source.
 3. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said computer has been further programmed to correctsaid measurement data to compensate for the influence of the temperatureof said milk.
 4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 which comprisesat least one further light sensor, said computer being furtherprogrammed to correct said measurement data to compensate fordifferences between said first mentioned light sensor and said furtherlight sensor depending upon which light sensor is used to make saidmeasurement data.
 5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whichcomprises a display unit, said computer adapted to display informationon said display unit which consists of said measurement data or theresults of said measurement data as processed or the selected diagnosisor the selected diagnoses or any combination thereof.
 6. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 which comprises means for measuring theconductivity of said milk, said computer being programmed to comparevalues derived from the measured values of said conductivity withfurther reference values relating to the conductivity of milk which arediagnostic for pathological conditions which may exist in said animalthat produced said milk.
 7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1which comprises a quadruple implement that produces measurement data tobe processed by said computer for milk from each teat of said animal. 8.An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer isprogrammed to select the diagnosis “colostrum” upon detection by saidlight sensor of a decreased intensity of diffused light of a blue colorrelative to said reference values.
 9. An apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said computer is programmed to select the diagnosis“mastitis” upon detection by said light sensor of a decreased intensityof diffused light of a blue color relative to said reference values. 10.An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer isprogrammed to select the diagnosis “mastitis” upon detection by saidlight sensor of a decreased intensity of diffused light of a blue colorrelative to said reference values and a detection of a lesser decreasein intensity of diffused light of a green color relative to saidreference values.
 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 whereinsaid computer is programmed to select the diagnosis of “mastitis” upondetection by said light sensor of a decreased intensity of diffusedlight of a blue color relative to said reference values in combinationwith the detection of an increased conductivity of said milk relative tosaid further reference values.
 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim1 wherein said computer selects the diagnosis “mastitis”, said computerbeing programmed to select additionally the diagnosis “pathogen:SAU(staphylococcus aureus) upon detection by said light sensor of aslightly decreased intensity of diffused light of red color relative tosaid reference values.
 13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whichhas selected the diagnosis of “mastitis” wherein said computer isprogrammed to select additionally the diagnosis of “pathogen: E-coli”upon detection by said light of a strongly decreased intensity ofdiffused light of a red color relative to said reference values.
 14. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer is programmedto select the diagnosis “blood” upon detection by said light sensor of adecreased intensity of diffused light of both a green and a blue colorrelative to the said reference values.
 15. An apparatus in accordancewith claim 6 wherein said computer is programmed to select the diagnosisof “blood” upon detection by said light sensor of a decreased intensityof diffused light of both a green color and a blue color relative tosaid reference values combined with a detection of a hardly deviatingconductivity relative to said further reference values.
 16. A apparatusin accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer is programmed to selectthe diagnosis the “mastitis”; “pathogen: E-Coli” upon detection by saidlight sensor of an increased intensity of transmitted light of a greencolor and a blue color and a red color relevant to said referencevalues.
 17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcomputer is programmed to select the diagnosis “mastitis' pathogen:E-coli” upon detection by said light sensor of a decreased intensity ofdiffused light of a blue color and green color and a red color relativeto said reference values.
 18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1which is a part of an automated milking system, said computerinterconnected in said automated milking system to carry out a pluralityof actions based on said diagnosis which is selected by said computer.19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 which is part of automatedmilking system which includes further equipment to which said computeris interconnected, said computer being further programmed to select atleast one action to be carried out on the basis of said selecteddiagnosis from a plurality of action possibilities which may be carriedout by said computer and are stored in said computer.
 20. A milkingsystem which includes a milking robot for automatically milking cows andan apparatus for diagnosing pathological conditions in the udderquarters of animals that produce milk by analyzing abnormalities in suchmilk produced by each said udder quarter, the apparatus comprising foreach udder quarter: a light source that irradiates milk produced by eachsaid udder quarter with light consisting of light selected from a redcolor or a green color or a blue color or any combination thereof; alight sensor disposed to measure for each said udder quarter, theintensity of light consisting of light selected from light that isreflected from said milk or is diffused through said milk or istransmitted by said milk or is background light produced by said milk oris any combination thereof; a computer for processing measurement datafrom said light sensor from each said udder quarter, said computerprogrammed to select at least one diagnosis for pathological conditionswhich may exist in said udder quarter that produce said milk from aplurality of diagnostic possibilities stored in said computer on thebasis of comparing values derived from the light intensities measured bysaid light sensor for said udder quarter with reference values of saidplurality of diagnostic possibilities.